Parker Waichman LLP Supports Reauthorization of the Zadroga Act
Port Washington, New York (PRWEB) September 12, 2014 -- Parker Waichman LLP, a national personal injury law firm that has spent many years fighting to ensure that the heroes of 9/11 are never forgotten, supports efforts to reauthorize the James Zadroga Act, which would provide continuing coverage to first responders and rescue workers who became injured or ill due to the events associated with 9/11. According to a news release issued on September 8, 2014, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Representative Carolyn Maloney, Representative Jerrold Nadler, Representative Peter King, and Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that efforts are being made to reauthorize the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act.
The James Zadroga Health and Compensation Act, which was passed in 2010, created the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program and reopened the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF); these programs are due to expire in October 2015 and October 2016, respectively. If passed, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act will keep the WTC Health Program and the VCF open for an additional 25 years until 2041, the release states.
According to Parker Waichman LLP, reauthorizing these programs will substantially help rescue workers and first responders who suffered illnesses related to the September 11th attacks. “We applaud the effort to keep these programs opens,” said Gary Falkowitz, Managing Attorney at Parker Waichman LLP. “Our firm has fought for the rights of 9/11 heroes since the beginning, and will continue to ensure that they receive the benefits they deserve.”
Exposure to toxic substances at Ground Zero has caused a number of first responders and survivors to become ill, the release states. There are over 30,000 WTC first responders and survivors afflicted with a 9/11-related illness or injury; among these, two-thirds have more than one illness. In many cases, the illness or injury has caused disability, and prevents an individual from being able to work. Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are only a few examples the type of chronic diseases being reported among WTC survivors. Research has also linked 9/11 toxin exposure to over 60 types of cancer.
“Our 9/11 heroes, survivors, and my colleagues fought hard to ensure that Congress fulfilled its undeniable moral obligation by providing long-overdue health care and compensation for 9/11 responders and community survivors,” Senator Gillibrand said in the release. “So, just as our first responders and survivors worked hard to pass the 9/11 health bill in 2010, tirelessly walking the halls of Congress week after week, month after month, and year after year, we will do everything in our power to get this new legislation passed and signed into law. But it shouldn’t have to take another ‘Christmas Miracle’ for Congress to do the right thing. It should simply take listening to these heroes and reflecting on 9/11 and about who we are as a nation.”
Parker Waichman LLP, which worked alongside Ground Zero first responders and their advocates to ensure passage of the Zadroga Act, vows to continue its efforts to ensure these heroes receive all of the Zadroga Act compensation they need and deserve.
If you or a loved one are eligible for compensation under the Zadroga Act, and would like assistance with your claim, please visit Parker Waichman's Zadroga Act claims page at yourlawyer.com or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).
Gary Falkowitz, Parker Waichman LLP, http://yourlawyer.com, +1 (800) 529-4636, [email protected]
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